Western Conference Round-up: Feb. 24

With less than a week left for Opening Match, teams in the Western Conference continue their preparations ahead of the 2013 season.

Chivas USA defeated the LA Blues 5-1 on Saturday afternoon at The Home Depot Center in the final preseason scrimmage. Mexican midfielder Giovani Casillas scored two goals, while Manuel Rivera, Eric Avila and Tristan Bowen each scored one for the Red-and-White victory.

Colorado Rapids fell 2-1 to the LA Galaxy in the final scrimmage in preseason held at UC Santa Barbara on Friday. The Rapids will open up the 2013 MLS season at FC Dallas on Saturday, March 2; the Galaxy will host Chicago Fire on Sunday, March 3 in The Home Depot Center.

FC Dallas played Swedish side AIK to a scoreless draw in their first game in Portland’s three-game tournament. Dallas then defeated host team Timbers 1-0 in the second game and concluded the tournament with a 2-1 loss to San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. In the tournament, the Earthquakes earned a 1-0-2 (W-L-T) record. San Jose will host Real Salt Lake on March 3 at Buck Shaw Stadium, while Portland Timbers will play New York Red Bulls at JELD-WEN Field on Sunday, March 3.

Over on the East Coast, Vancouver Whitecaps FC concluded their participation in the Carolina Challenge Cup with a 1-1 draw with Chicago Fire on Saturday. Earlier in the week, the Whitecaps suffered their first loss in preseason, a 2-1 loss to Houston Dynamo. The Canadian team was able to bounce back from a loss and defeated Carolina Railhawks 3-0.

Seattle Sounders took home the Desert Diamond Cup after defeating Real Salt Lake 1-0 in the final match on Saturday in Tucson, Arizona. Earlier in the week, the Sounders topped Salt Lake 2-1 with goals from Mario Martinez and Philip Lund.

Chivas USA will open the 2013 season on Saturday, March 2, hosting Columbus Crew at 7:30 pm PT at The Home Depot Center. Click here to purchase your tickets to the new era at Chivas USA.